SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Bellringer This car

will not start

1.What are some possible reasons the car will not start?

2.How would you test your guesses?

Scientific Method 1. Observation: Notice there is a

problem or question to be answered

2. Hypothesis: Scientific Explanation

3. Experiment: Test your hypothesis

4. Data: Collect information

-5. Analyze Data

6. Modify if needed or Communicate

Results

Experiment Control: used to compare experimental

results. Does not receive any experimental treatment/changes

Variable: Factor changed during experiment

Independent Variable: What is changed. Will affect the outcome of the experiment

Dependent Variable: Results of the experiment

Data

Qualitative Data: Express with

Description

-Quantitative Data: Express with

Numbers

Display in graphs: Bar, Line, Circle

X axis: Independent Variable

Y axis: Dependent Variable

Analyze Results 1. If results are consistent with

hypothesis, communicate and publish results.

2. If results are not consistent with hypothesis, modify experiment.

Conclusion 1. Experiment must be

repeatable.

2. Theory versus Law -Theory is subject to change as

more knowledge is gained. “Theory of Evolution”

-Laws are universally accepted to be true. “Law of Gravity”

Everyday ScienceScientific Method in everyday1. Car will not start =____________2. Out of gas? = _________________3. Adding gas and seeing if car

starts = ___________________________

4. Car doesn’t start = _____________

5. It wasn’t out of gas = _____________________________ (disproves hypothesis this time)

Tada! The Five Steps of the Scientific Method

Everyday ScienceScientific Method in everyday1. Car will not start =Observation

2. Out of gas? = Hypothesis

3. Adding gas and seeing if car starts = Experiment

4. Car doesn’t start = Data/Results

5. It wasn’t out of gas =Conclusion/ Revise (disproves hypothesis this time)

Partner Work: Write a hypothesis for each of the following research problems. Identify the dependent and

independent variable for each.

 

1. What effect does high temperature have on onion growth rates?

2. What effect does light have on plant growth?

3. What effect do different mouthwashes have on bad breath?

4. What effect does light have on plant growth?